Association between Physical Abuse, Physical Neglect and Health Risk Behaviours among Young Adolescents: Results from the National Study

OBJECTIVES: One of the main objectives of this paper is to analyze the associations between physical abuse and neglect and health risk behaviours among young adolescents in the country.METHOD: A representative sample consisted of total 1277 students (58.6% female and 41.6%), aged 18 and above. About 664 of them are in last (fourth) year of secondary school and 613 respondents are first- and second-year university students. The data were obtained using Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Questionnaires (Family Health History Questionnaire) for collecting information on child maltreatment, household dysfunction and other socio-behavioural factors, applying WHO/CDC-recommended methodology. Statistical significance was set up at p<0.05.RESULTS: Physical abuse (21.1%) and physical neglect (20%) were reported with similar prevalence rates. Disciplining children by spanking or corporal punishment was presented with very high rate of 72.4%.CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated a relationship between physical abuse and later manifestation of health risk behaviours such as: smoking and early pregnancy. Physical neglect increased the chances for drug abuse, drink-driving, having early sex, having more sexual partners.

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The Associations between Health Risk Behaviours and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in a Nationally Representative Sample of Young Adolescents

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674370705201007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 52 (10) ◽

pp. 666-674 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Tracie O Afifi ◽

Brian J Cox ◽

Laurence Y Katz

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Health Risk ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Female Adolescents ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Young Adolescents ◽

Adolescent Boys ◽

Health Risk Behaviours ◽

Nationally Representative

Objective: To examine associations between health risk behaviours and suicidal ideation and attempts in Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 13 years. Young adolescents think about and attempt suicide. However, most existing research on suicide has been conducted on individuals aged 15 years and older. Method: The present study examined a nationally representative Canadian sample of adolescents aged 12 to 13 years ( n = 2090). Health risk behaviours included disruptive (shoplifting, physical fighting, damaging property, fighting with a weapon, carrying a knife, and gambling), sexual (petting below the waist and sexual intercourse), and substance use behaviours (smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, marijuana or hash, and glue or solvents). Unadjusted and adjusted (for all significant health risk behaviour and psychiatric symptoms) models were tested. Results: All health risk behaviours were common among male and female adolescents. In unadjusted models, almost all health risk behaviours were associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescent boys. In adjusted models, only damaging property, sexual intercourse, and smoking cigarettes remained statistically associated with suicidal ideation, while smoking cigarettes and using marijuana or hash remained statistically associated with suicide attempts among adolescent boys. All health risk behaviours were statistically associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among female adolescents in unadjusted models. In adjusted models, only carrying a knife remained statistically associated with suicidal ideation, while shoplifting and gambling remained statistically associated with suicide attempts among adolescent girls. Conclusions: Health risk behaviours among young adolescents are associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among young adolescents. Recognizing health risk behaviours among young adolescents may be one means of understanding who among them is at increased risk of suicidality.

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Young adolescents' wellbeing and health-risk behaviours: gender and socio-economic differences

Journal of Adolescence ◽

10.1006/jado.2001.0378 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 183-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

MANFRED MAX BERGMAN ◽

JACQUELINE SCOTT

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Young Adolescents ◽

Health Risk Behaviours

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Assessment of Health Risk Behaviours among Secondary School Students in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v9n7p57 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Babatunde I Omotowo ◽

Anne C Ndu ◽

Olanike R Agwu Umahi ◽

Uchechukwu E Ezeoke ◽

Idoko C Arthur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Health Risk ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Fast Food ◽

Secondary School Students ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Risk Behaviours

INTRODUCTION: Health risk behaviours contribute to the leading causes of deaths and disability among adults and youth. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of health risk behaviours among secondary school students in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted between May and July 2015 among 348 school students randomly selected in six secondary schools in rural and urban areas. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21, and statistical significance of association between variables was assessed using Chi-square test at p<0.05.RESULTS: Overall, 348 respondents out of 360 returned the completed questionnaires. 50.6% were females, while their mean age was 15.2 ± 5.1 years. Majority of respondents live with both parents (73.9%).Many respondents 44.5% had taken alcohol, while 13.5%, and 40.8% had smoked cigarette and had sex before respectively. Also, 59.8% had experienced one form of violence, while 37.6% of them preferred fast food junks to food prepared at home.Age, sex and class did not significantly influence participants that had taken alcohol. Also, age, sex and class did not significantly influence those that had sex in the past. However, sex significantly influenced smoking of cigarettes.CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Our results showed high percentage of health risky behaviours among secondary school students. Introduction of compulsory health education curriculum activities in schools was recommended.

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